Seashore Paspalum plant named ‘UGA 31’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct vegetatively reproduced cultivar of seashore  paspalum, Paspalum vaginatum,  which is characterized by a combination of excellent green turf color, non-dwarf rapidly spreading growth habit, good salt tolerance, its ability to maintain high turf density and quality at a range of mowing heights, and the ability to maintain turf quality and to resist leaf firing during periods of short term drought.

Botanical classification: Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz.

Varietal denomination: ‘UGA 31’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Paspalumvaginatum, commonly known as seashore paspalum, and hereafter referredto by the varietal denomination ‘UGA 31’

Paspalum vaginatum is a grass in the Panicoideae subfamily thatinherently colonizes saline ecosystems, e.g. along sea coasts and onbrackish sands. It is an ecologically aggressive, littoral warm-seasonperennial grass species varying in leaf texture from very coarse wildecotypes to finer-leaf textured ecotypes for use in recreational turf.It produces both rhizomes and stolons and can tolerate waterloggedconditions and periodic meso-saline flooding. The grass occurs in thewild in both hemispheres. In the Americas, potential turf ecotypes arefound almost exclusively along the Atlantic coastline in marshy,brackish ecosystems while the wild, native types can be found in coastalvenues along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific exposed regions.Generally, P. vaginatum is a self-incompatible, diploid species with 20chromosomes. P. vaginatum has been introduced into salt-affected areasas the need for forages, land reclamation and recreational turf haveincreased. An increase in golf course developments placed on coastalvenues or with problems associated with salinity are becoming moreprevalent in managed turfgrass. The trend for use of more salt-ladenirrigation waters on turfgrass sites is expected to continue to rise andto further increase industry demands for salt tolerant grassesspecifically adapted for course-wide use on roughs, fairways, tees, andgreens.

‘UGA31’ originated from a single seed arising from the open-pollinatedcross (SIPV-2×unknown). This cross was made in a greenhouse at Griffin,Ga. in 2003 by Dr. Paul Raymer. The female parent (SIPV-2) (unpatented)was allowed to flower in close proximity to 34 other breeding lines ofseashore paspalum in an open-pollinated crossing block. Since seashorepaspalum is self-incompatible, the male parent is presumed to be one ofthe 34 other lines in the polycross. The single plant was germinatedfrom seed in the laboratory and was established in a greenhouse.

The ‘UGA 31’ seedling was visually screened for acceptable turf qualityand for salt tolerance and transplanted into a nursery field for initialturf evaluation in the spring of 2004. This plant was evaluatedbeginning in June 2004 in an un-replicated field plot mowed at a 1.5inch height of cut (h.o.c.). The new plant was selected in the fall of2004 based on turf superior quality, density, and color. The new plantwas asexually propagated in 2004 by vegetative propagation in Griffin,Ga. This new plant can be asexually propagated by sprigs, plugs or sod.‘UGA 31’ was then evaluated for salt tolerance in a replicatedgreenhouse study in 2005. ‘UGA 31’ was then included in a replicatedpreliminary turf field evaluation (0.5-inch height of cut) at Griffin,Ga., established in June, 2005. Late in 2006, ‘UGA 31’ was selected as acultivar with superior turf quality traits based on its performance inthe 2005 preliminary trial. The new ‘UGA 31’ plant was clonallyincreased for inclusion in advanced turf variety trials at Tifton, Ga.as well as 2007 National Turfgrass Evaluation Trials for SeashorePaspalum at eight locations. In 2008, ‘UGA31’ was one of twelve entriesincluded in a greens trial (0.18 to 0.25 inch height of cut) at Griffin,Ga. ‘UGA31’ was also included in lawn management trial established atTifton, Ga., in 2009. ‘UGA 31’ was evaluated again for salt tolerance in2010. ‘UGA 31’ has been evaluated for drought tolerance in bothgreenhouse and field studies and for disease resistance in both growthchamber and field studies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been consistently found in successiveasexually propagated ‘UGA 31’ plants, and, to the best knowledge of theinventors, the combination of these characteristics of ‘UGA31’ make itunique as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1) An upright non-dwarf growth habit that tolerates a wide range        of mowing heights, yet maintains excellent turf density and        quality. This combination of traits makes ‘UGA31’ very useful as        a grass that can be used in various applications, such as on all        parts of a golf course, including greens, tees, fairways, and        roughs.    -   2) Excellent turf color that is aesthetically pleasing and        retains color even during moderate periods of cool temperature.        This trait enhances the attractiveness of the grass when used on        golf courses and, in some environments, may eliminate the need        for overseeding with cool season grasses.    -   3) The ability to maintain turf quality and resist leaf firing        during periods of short-term drought. This reduces the frequency        of irrigation needed to maintain turf quality and may        significantly reduce water usage in many environments.

COMPARISON TO OTHER VARIETIES

‘UGA31’ has been compared primarily to ‘SI 98’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.18,869), a variety recently developed for course-wide use in the golfindustry, and which is believed by the inventors to be the most similarto ‘UGA 31’. Comparative evaluations of the grasses grown in thegreenhouse and in field research plots at Griffin, Ga. and other USlocations showed that ‘UGA31’ consistently differed from ‘SI 98’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1) Turf quality and density. (Data from tables 1, 2, 3). ‘UGA31’        produces very high quality medium to fine textured turf over a        range of mowing heights.    -   2) Turf color. (Data from tables 1 and 2).    -   3) Better dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) resistance.        (Data from tables 1 and 2).    -   4) Better drought tolerance. (Data from tables 8 and 9).    -   5) ‘UGA31’ shows many significant morphological differences from        ‘SI 98’ (data from table 11). The peduncle diameter of flowering        tillers in ‘UGA31’ is smaller than in ‘SI 98’ and the length of        the 4^(th) internode of ‘UGA 31’ is longer than that of ‘SI 98’.        Stolons of ‘UGA31’ are larger in diameter than those of ‘SI 98’.        The unmowed culm height of ‘UGA31’ is much taller than the        unmowed culm height of ‘SI 98’. Both the upper and lower leaf        surfaces of ‘UGA 31’ are slightly darker green than those of ‘SI        98’.    -   6) The SSR banding patterns obtained when SSR marker C03996 is        used with DNA from samples of ‘UGA31’ and ‘SI 98’ illustrate        distinct differences between the two varieties. (See FIG. 5)

Comparisons are also shown in the tables to ‘Sea Isle 1’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 12,665) and ‘Sea Isle 2000’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,625). Table11 comprises a comparison of a number of botanical features of thesefour varieties.

The salt tolerance of ‘UGA 31’ is similar to that of ‘Sea Isle 1’, ‘SeaIsle 2000’, and ‘SI 98’ (Tables 6 and 7).

With reference to FIG. 5, ‘UGA 31’ can be distinguished from ‘SI 98’,‘Sea Isle 1’ and ‘Sea Isle 2000’ using SSRC03996, which amplifies aunique profile for ‘UGA 31’. ‘UGA 31’ shares a fragment of about 110base pairs with ‘Sea Isle 2000’. This fragment can be used todistinguish this cultivar from ‘SI 98’. ‘UGA 31’ shows two fragments ofabout 155 to 160 base pairs that distinguish these lines from ‘Sea Isle2000’.

All asexual reproductions of ‘UGA 31’ observed to date have been true tothe original variety and remain true to type when asexually reproduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows a potted sample of ‘UGA 31’.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of ‘UGA 31’ inflorescence prior to anthesis,at anthesis, and at maturity.

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a growing field plot of ‘UGA 31’.

FIG. 5 compares the SSRC/03996 generated banding patterns obtained fromDNA of ‘UGA 31’ to ‘Sea Isle 1’, ‘Sea Isle 2000’, and ‘SI 98’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, maychange with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature,moisture, nutrient availability, or other factors). Color descriptionsand other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinarydictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Color designations are made with reference to The Royal HorticulturalSociety (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

The Plant

‘UGA31’ is a vigorous variety with upright growth habit. It is dense andspreads rapidly by producing large numbers of rhizomes and stolons.

The mean height of the unmown canopy (culm height) is 50.1 cm, with aseed head exsertion height of 37.4 cm.

Flowering Tillers

The mean length and diameter of the peduncle are respectively 8.3 mm and0.5 mm.

The mean length of the longest spike is 31.6 mm and there are two spikesper inflorescence.

The mean length of the spike branch from the flag leaf is 8.4 mm and thelength and width of the blade on the flag leaf are respectively 14.7 mmand 0.8 mm. The mean length of the sheath on the flag leaf is 40.6 mm.

The mean length and width of the blade of the 4^(th) leaf (the flag leafis the 1^(st) leaf) are respectively 66.7 mm and 2.3 mm, and the meanlength of the sheath on the 4^(th) leaf is 17.2 mm.

The mean length of the 4^(th) internode is 18.7 mm. The color of theupper leaf surface is Green 137 A and the lower leaf surface color isGreen 137 A.

The anther color is Violet 86 A, and stigma color is Violet 83 A.Anthers are 1.0-1.5 mm long and the glumes are glabrous. Seeds are notproduced in pure monostands due to self-incompatibility. Seeds are about2.3 mm long and 1.0 mm wide and narrow in shape when produced bycrossing with other widely diverse varieties of seashore paspalumplants.

Stolons

The mean length and diameter of the 4^(th) internode from the tip are14.9 mm and 2.6 mm respectively.

The mean length and width of the 4^(th) leaf blade, at the 4^(th) nodeon stolon, are 6.5 mm and 1.4 mm respectively, with a leaf sheath thatis 9.5 mm long.

The color of the stolon is Yellow-Green 146 B.

Disease Resistance

‘UGA 31’ is less susceptible to dollar spot than ‘SI 98’. Dollar spot(sclerotinia homoeocarpa) is a fungal disease that attacks many turfgrasses in the humid Southeast US when nitrogen levels are maintained atlow levels under turf conditions.

Comparison Tables

Tables 1-11 that follow contain comparisons of botanical and otherproperties of ‘UGA 31’ with those of several other varieties.

TABLE 1 Performance comparison of seashore paspalum varieties undergreens management (0.18-0.25 inch h.o.c.) at Griffin, Georgia 2008-2010¹Grown-in Turf Turf Leaf Seed Spring Dollar Pink Coverage Quality ColorTexture Heads Fall GreenUp Spot Patch (9 ratings) (15 ratings) (9ratings) (2 ratings) (3 ratings) Color (6 ratings) (6 ratings) (3ratings) Variey % cover 1-9 scale 1-9 scale 1-9 scale 1-9 scale (7ratings) % % % ‘Sea Isle 1’ 88.4 a 7.1 cde 7.2 de 7.3 cd 5.8 cde 6.7 cd58.0 c 2.6 d 46.5 a ‘Sea Isle 75.7 ab 7.4 abc 7.7 ab 7.3 cd 7.4 abc 7.4b 50.5 cd 3.2 d 11.4 d 2000’ ‘SI 98’ 88.4 ab 6.8 ef 7.2 de 7.3 cd 6.3bcde 7.6 b 43.2 de 17.1 a 24.3 c ‘UGA 31’ 83.8 ab 7.3 abc 7.5 abcd 7.5bc 6.6 bc 7.7 ab 61.9 bc 5.1 cd 9.7 d

TABLE 2 Performance comparison of seashore paspalum varieties underfairway management (0.5 inches h.o.c.) at Tifton, Georgia 2007-2010.Grown-in Turf Turf Leaf Seed Dollar Coverage Quality Color Texture TurfHeads Spot (2 ratings) (12 ratings) (4 ratings) (1 rating) Density (2ratings) (6 ratings) Variety % cover 1-9 scale 1-9 scale 1-9 scale (2rating) 1-9 scale % ‘Sea Isle l’ 87 a 5.9 bc 6.7 b 6.8 bcd 7.2 bc 6.0 e2 c ‘Sea Isle 77 a 6.1 b 7.3 a 7.0 abc 7.6 ab 7.7 abc 3 c 2000’ ‘SI 98’87 a 5.5 c 6.5 b 6.5 cd 7.0 bc 7.9 ab 13 ab ‘UGA 31’ 80 a 6.9 a 7.7 a7.5 a 8.2 a 8.1 a 1 c

TABLE 3 Summary of 2007-2010 seashore paspalum test at Tifton, GA mowedat 0.5″. Turf Quality Green Cover Density Seedhead Density 2009 20102009 2010 2009 2010 Jun. 10, Jul. 9, Average Average Average AverageAverage Average 2009 2010 No. 9 6 9 7 9 6 1 1 Ratings visual rating¹ %coverage visual rating¹ no. per M² ‘Sea Isle 1’ 5.6 cd 4.5 cd 85 a 79bcde 6.0 de 5.1 de 1489 bc 4801 a ‘Sea Isle 6.5 b 6.4 a 85 a 78 cde 6.6be 6.3 ab 219 d 3520 ab 2000’ ‘SI 98’ 4.6 f 4.0 d 84 a 86 a 5.0 g 5.1 de151 d 1338 c ‘UGA31’ 7.2 a² 6.8 a 83 ab 84 abc 7.1 a 6.8 a 319 d 2479 bc

TABLE 4 2009 seashore paspalum test at Tifton, GA mowed at 1.5″ DateJul. 2, 2009 Jul. 21, 2009 Sep. 5, 2009 Oct. 7, 2009 Nov. 18, 2009Establishment Variety % coverage ‘UGA 31’ 23 a 53 a 91 a 99 a 99 a ‘SeaIsle 1’ 8 a 36 b 83 b 97 a 97 a

TABLE 5 2009 seashore paspalum test at Tifton, GA mowed at 1.5″ Date2010 Variety May. 3, 2010 Jun. 18, 2010 Jul. 13, 2010 Aug. 24, 2010 Nov.16, 2010 Average Lawn Quality visual rating¹ ‘UGA 31’ 6.3 a 8.0 a 7.3 a7.7 a 5.0 a 6.9 a ‘Sea Isle 1’ 6.0 a 7.3 a 6.3 a 6.0 a 3.3 a 5.8 b GreenCover % coverage ‘UGA 31’ 96 a 97 a 85 a 88 a 63 a 86 a ‘Sea Isle 1’ 98a 97 a 77 b 71 b 61 a 81 b Density visual rating¹ ‘UGA 31’ 6.3 a 6.3 a7.7 a 6.7 a 5.7 a 6.5 a ‘Sea Isle 1’ 6.0 a 7.0 a 7.0 a 6.0 a 3.3 b 5.9 b

TABLE 6 Response of seashore paspalum varieties after 60 days exposureto three levels of salt water in a replicated greenhouse experimentconducted in 2005. Leaf Firing Salt Level (dS/m)¹ 0.0 20.0 40.0 Variety0-9 scale (9 = excellent) ‘Sea Isle 1’ 8.2 a 7.5 ab 6.3 a ‘SI 98’ 8.7 a7.7 ab 6.7 a ‘UGA 31’ 8.0 ab 8.0 a 6.0 ab

TABLE 7 Response of seashore paspalum varieties after 60 days exposureto four levels of salt water in a replicated greenhouse experimentconducted in 2010. Leaf Firing Salt Level (dS/m)¹ 0.0 15.0 30.0 45.0Variety 1-9 scale (9 = excellent) ‘Sea Isle 1’ 8.2 abcde 8.5 abc 7.2abcd 3.6 ab ‘Sea Isle 2000’ 8.9 a 8.7 abc 8.2 ab 2.1 bcde ‘SI 98’ 8.6abc 8.7 abc 7.2 abcd 2.1 bcde ‘UGA 31’ 8.7 ab 9.0 a 8.7 a 3.2 abcd

TABLE 8 Leaf firing response of seashore paspalum varieties to dry downin a replicated greenhouse lysimeter study conducted in 2007.¹ Days fromInitiation of Dry Down² 17 24 28 38 Ecotype Leaf Firing (%) ‘Sea Isle 1’14.00 abc 17.00 bc 9.33 d 18.33 bc ‘Sea Isle 2000’ 11.33 bc 10.67 bc8.33 d 16.00 c ‘SI 98’ 11.67 bc 34.33 ab 31.67 abcd 32.67 abc ‘UGA 31’3.33 c 2.00 c 3.00 d 7.33 c

TABLE 9 Summary of results of a turfgrass field drought study conductedunder a Griffin, Georgia rainout shelter, Jul 29, 2008-Oct 28, 2008.Average Across All Dates Turf Turf Leaf NDVI Quality Color Firing ScaleScale Scale Grass % 1 = ideal 9 = ideal 9 = ideal ‘Sea Isle 1’ 19.10.680 5.93 6.19 ‘Sea Isle 2000’ 16.1 0.704 6.15 6.62 ‘SI 98’ 41.7 0.6194.49 4.78 ‘UGA 31’ 16.2 0.697 5.79 6.15

TABLE 10 Susceptibility of Paspalum cultivars to Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 LP (large patch) - Growth Chamber - May/June 2009. % large patchCultivar May 21 May 28 June 4 June 11 ‘Sea Isle 2000’ 6.4 b 30.9 b 45.3b 45.3 b ‘SI 98’ 2.9 b 7.6 b 10.5 c 14.1 c ‘UGA 31’ 7.0 b¹ 32.02 b 45.3b 50.0 b

TABLE 11 Comparison of botantical characteristics of four seashorepaspalum cultivars. ‘Sea Isle 1’ ‘Sea Isle 2000’ ‘SI 98’ ‘UGA 31’ LSDCharacteristics of Flowering Tillers Length of peduncle (mm) mean¹ 8.3a¹ 10.4 a 7.4 a 8.3 a N.S. std dev 5.8 6.7 4.5 1.8 Diameter of peduncle(mm) mean 0.6 ab 0.8 a 0.7 a 0.5 b 0.2 std dev 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Length oflongest spike (mm) mean 33.5 ab 39.2 a 29.7 b 31.6 b 5.9 std dev 5.7 9.84.4 2.5 Number of spikes per inflorescence mean 2.0 a 2.0 a 2.0 a 2.0 aN.S. std dev 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Maximum number of spikes per inflorescencemean 2.0 a 2.0 a 2.0 a 2.0 a N.S. std dev 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Length ofspike branch from flag leaf (mm) mean 7.5 a 9.2 a 7.0 a 8.4 a N.S. stddev 5.4 5.3 3.7 2.0 Number of florets per spike mean 20.9 a 22.3 a 19.6a 21.6 a N.S. std dev 5.1 6.8 2.7 2.1 Length of blade on flag leaf (mm)mean 9.5 a 16.8 a 15.8 a 14.7 a N.S. std dev 3.7 7.7 11.3 5.3 Width ofblade on flag leaf (mm) mean 0.6 ab 0.3 b 0.8 a 0.8 a 0.4 std dev 0.40.1 0.5 0.5 Length/width ratio of flag leaf blade (mm) mean 26.6 a 50.9a 35.9 a 28.8 a N.S. std dev 25.6 18.9 47.8 31.2 Length of sheath onflag leaf (mm) mean 48.7 ab 52.7 a 40.6 b 40.6 b 10.7 std dev 10.1 17.210.3 3.0 Length of blade on 4th leaf (mm) mean 80.7 a 83.0 a 71.9 a 66.7a N.S. std dev 22.3 13.2 17.6 11.4 Width of blade on 4th leaf (mm) mean2.5 a 1.7 b 2.3 a 2.3 a 0.5 std dev 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 Length/width ratio .of 4th leaf blade (mm) mean 33.6 b 63.6 a 31.4 b 29.8 b 22.9 std dev 8.150.2 6.7 6.8 Length of sheath on 4th leaf (mm) mean 21.6 a 24.3 a 14.6 b17.2 b 3.7 std dev 6.4 1.5 2.5 3.8 Length of 4th internode (mm) mean18.8 a 21.4 a 10.6 b 18.7 a 3.9 std dev 3.5 3.5 2.1 6.5 Characteristicsof Stolons Length of 4th internode (mm) mean 14.1 a 12.3 a 10.1 a 14.9 aN.S. std dev 4.7 5.7 3.6 4.8 Diameter of 4th internode (mm) mean 2.8 a2.0 b 1.9 b 2.6 a 0.5 std dev 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.5 Length of 4th leaf blade(mm) mean 17.9 a 18.9 a 11.4 b 6.5 b 5.0 std dev 7.6 3.8 5.0 3.1 Widthof 4th leaf blade (mm) mean 2.2 ab 2.7 a 1.6 bc 1.4 c 0.7 std dev 0.90.7 0.6 0.6 Length/width ratio of 4th leaf blade (mm) mean 9.1 a 7.6 ab7.5 ab 5.0 b 3.0 std dev 3.3 3.0 3.9 2.3 Length of leaf sheath on 4thnode (mm) mean 11.6 a 10.0 a 9.6 a 9.5 a N.S. std dev 2.3 3.9 2.1 1.6Other Characteristics Culm height (cm) mean 43.9 a 28.9 b 23.1 b 50.1 a8.9 std dev 15.1 5.2 4.1 9.7 Seed head height (cm) mean 39.0 36.4 27.637.4 N.S. std dev 16.7 6.0 8.2 6.1 Color of upper leaf 137 B 137 B 137 B137 A surface² Color of lower leaf 137 A 137 A 137 C 137 A surfaceStolon Color 146 A 146 C 146 B 146 B Anther Color 86 A 86 A 86 A 86 AStigma Color 83 A 83 A 83 A 83 A ¹Means within a row followed by thesame letter are not considered statistically different according toFisher's protected LSD at α = 0.05. ²Based on color codes of The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of seashore paspalum plantnamed ‘UGA 31’, substantially as herein illustrated and described.